Okay, I am a civilian so bear with me.
I like to hike with my dog. If I were to find myself in a similar predicament, it would most likely be due to some numbskull move on my part in that context. I have never killed a small animal using a snare/my hands/an improvised tool/a lensatic compass or a space blanket, only with a firearm, slingshot or bow, so I have no perspective on how easily that can be accomplished with proper training. I also assume that 60 days of only forraging would weaken me too much to allow room for other contingencies.
So my question is - at what point would you eat the dog?
The psychological benefits of the animal's companionship are not to be underestimated. Nor is its ability to scare off/alert you of predators. OTOH, its pelt would be quite warm, the protein is attractive, and it is a veritable walking toolkit. This dog is about 50 lbs. I am also confident in my ability to properly preserve the meat in the field, so nothing will go to waste.
Don't laugh at me, my father taught me to hunt with black powder and used to take me to rendesvous on weekends, so my view of the world is a little warped.
